Kaka Highflames championing the return of dancehall’s dance era

In the heart of Kingston, where music and dance are woven into the fabric of everyday life, a young dancing dynamo is charging up. With his début as a dancehall recording artiste on the Reggae Sumfest stage, Kaka Highflames gained a clearer vision of his future role in the entertainment industry. Sponsored by Magnum Tonic Wine, Night One of the festival marked a significant milestone in Kaka’s journey from passionate dancer to emerging music star, and his story is one of determination, talent and unyielding spirit.

Growing up in the bustling community of Waterhouse and later moving to Portmore’s Phoenix Park, Kaka Highflames (born Omario Brown) found his love for dance at just 10 years old. “Dancing has always been a part of me, but I was reserved,” the dancer-turned-deejay shared. Over the years, he began to outgrow the shyness and eventually developed a passion for football; he often donned a jersey with his favourite professional footballer’s name – FIFA World Cup Champion Ricardo Kaká of Brazil – on the back. His talent blossomed early dancing across football fields, leading him to create dance challenges on TikTok, including the popular routine for Squash’s Umballa hit, which became viral while Kaka was a student of Kingston College.

“The TikTok challenge opened doors. Sooner than later, Team Highflames was formed with my friends; and the more positive feedback received, especially from my colleagues and my teachers, the more motivation it provided to continue. We even entered Dancing Dynamites and placed fifth in the competition,” Kaka said. “In 2023, after graduating Kingston College, I decided to play with recording music to complement the dance moves the team and I created.”

Kaka Highflames début track, Slingshot, was a major hit among Gen Z-ers. The second track, Flamez Rock, also earned the approval of the dancehall industry as seasoned dancers and artistes started to include the routines in their music videos and stage performances. He continues to grow his catalogue with clean, high-energy dance-themed tracks like Drop It, Learn Fi Dance, Badman Rock, H ayee Macarena, Tun It Up, and Flamez Party. His single, Chaarge, he attests to the influence and power of Magnum Tonic Wine. Influenced by the contributions of dancehall stars Bogle, Elephant Man, and Ding Dong, Kaka has carved out a unique space for himself in the music industry. His fashion and music reflect his vibrant personality and his commitment to bringing fun and energy back to dancehall, which was evident in his delivery for Reggae Sumfest.

Kaka’s first taste of the premier reggae music festival came in 2023, when he performed with Roze Don. This year, he returned with a new role, as a recording artiste, backed by his dynamic Team Highflames. “Performing on that stage was amazing and I’m appreciative of how my team put in the work,” Kaka said, with eyes gleaming with excitement. “Seeing the crowd’s reaction…I mean, I didn’t expect to get so much love from the patrons, as it was my first time as an artiste. To be honest, our approach for the Reggae Sumfest was not to over-prepare, because I didn’t want my routine to look robotic. For me, it meant an opportunity to learn and grow. Overall, it was a great experience to be featured on the same night Magnum had its 25th anniversary segment featuring Voicemail and Ding Dong, who have paved the way for talents like me.”

His goal was to convey a message of individuality and dancehall’s resilience. Looking to the future, Kaka is determined to revive the dance era in dancehall.

“I want every ghetto youth to know there is a star inside of them waiting to shine, and that it’s also okay to be different. We don’t have to follow the same style and lyrics as other artistes. I may be young but everyone would agree, there’s no dancehall without the dancing – I want to contribute to carrying back the fun and championing that energy inna dancehall,” Kaka remarked passionately.

The rising entertainer’s journey has been marked by significant achievements and collaborations with notable artistes such as Skeng and Ding Dong. He is currently getting ready for the release of Scoop with Skeng and Jump, featuring both Skeng and Ding Dong. Kaka Highflames and Team Highflames are not just focused on music, but about making a difference one dance move at a time. Alongside his music career, Kaka also has aspirations to fulfil a career in the real estate industry.